Sunday, October 14, 2007

I finally broke down and called my dentist. On a Sunday. In the middle of the Bears game, no less. I told him I was pretty sure I was dying; my tooth hurt so badly. He prescribed antibiotics and pain killers and told me to give him a call in the morning. My whole face hurts. I'm taking my drugs and going to bed. Tomorrow I'm going to ask him to cut to the chase, pull out what's left of my teeth, and give me a set of dentures. I'm pretty sure I could live on ice cream and mashed potatoes.

I've had the song Bye Bye Birdie in my head all day. My son had to watch the movie and do a little report on it for his music class. Is it just me or does Dick Van Dyke (other than the color of his hair) look the same today as he did in Bye Bye Birdie?

Anyway, as part of the report on the American musical Bye Bye Birdie, my son needs to dress up like a character from the movie, complete with props, and he needs to act and talk like the chosen character. He is NOT looking forward to this. I feel bad for him because he doesn't like getting up in front of crowds. He doesn't like too much attention directed at him. On the one hand, I want to rescue him from having to stand up in front of his class and act like Elvis. On the other hand, I know it's the teacher's way of making sure he really paid attention to the film. Plus, it's a confidence building exercise and confidence is always important. Unless of course, you're the kid who gets sick, sweats profusely and throws up during your reenactment. I guess that wouldn't build too much confidence, would it? Here's hoping he's not that kid.

If you're interested, take a look at the highlighted company, Slinglings, on my other blog.

Ok, all the permission slips are signed, gym uniforms washed, and homework packed up. I'm off to bed now. And it's before 12:00! That must be some sort of record.

Hi Dawn! I am fairly new to your blog. Someone turned me onto it when the Backpack was dripping chocolate milk. I swear I raised this same child!

Please excuse me while I give you my 2 cents worth...I am Grandma age with no Grandchildren yet. Things that seem earth-shaking, when your children are young, are alot less important later in life. When I saw the Green Goblin pics, I thought "Wow! That child is creative!" I know that's not what you thought when you saw him or the highchair, but he might be an artist someday, so don't yell too loud.

Your poor son who has to perform in public! I was that child who got sick, sweated profusely, etc. anytime I was called on to stand up and speak at the same time! (Give me a written report anytime.) Here's what I have learned that "psychs" my mind out to be able to handle it -- "If you don't make eye contact...they can't see you! You are invisible!" This works better for me than trying to picture people in their underwear, (Ooh! I didn't want to go there!) Just tell him to look at the back wall, and pretend he is on TV or something. Good luck Mom, getting him through this monumental event!

And good luck with your teeth! Tooth pain is the worst and you can't even run away from it!

I feel for ya!!! I have had abcessed so bad my left eye swelled shut. I had to go to clinic and get a shot in the you know where to get the infection out of me. The same night my too was infected and I couldnt see out of one eye my oldest called me wanting a ride home. Nothing says safety more than a mom who is sick and cant see out of one eye driving a mini van!!! I should have all my teeth ripped out and get dentures but I just cant spend the money on the co pays. Such the life of a mom.

God luck to you and your son on the costume and the speaking in front of class. My son was chosen to be a dinosauer in his Christmas play I had to make him a teridacle (spelling is wrong sue me) I dyed a sweatsuit green then sewed wings on shirt. My hands were green and my fingers were bloody from poking them with needles then I got a call from teacher saying Petey was out of program because he didnt want to participate. I told her he would be in it all my work wasnt going to waste nor were my green hands going to be in vain. That ws years ago and he still hates to preform in public. My daughter was the total opposite. She would do anything she was asked to do.

If I were your son, I would hate my music teacher. Is this an acting class or a music class? I was very shy as a kid, and being forced to do that sort of thing just made it worse. You don't build up someone's confidence by exposing them to the ridicule of their classmates by making them do something they don't feel comfortable doing.

Thank you for getting that song stuck in MY Head now. It's a Small World, anyone?

I love Dick Van Dyke. And yeah, he's aged amazingly well. I loved seeing him play the bad guy in Night at the Museum (even though the movie itself was a bit weak, it was great having my kids introduced to some of my favorite actors in a movie they love).

Super fun blog design! How funny to read about you considering dental work relaxing because I have had the same exact sentiment. I always tell the dentist that there's a good chance I will fall asleep since I usually don't just recline like that for more than about 30 seconds. So if they put me back, give me some novacaine and one of my dentists always gave me gas as well, they can pretty much prop my jaws open and work at their leisure 'cause I'm gonna be out for the count until they wake me up.

I know the feeling, about, just wanting the teeth gone, so you don't have to deal with it anymore. The two of us could team upfor that poster. But, I absoulty refuse to go into the dentist unless they will knock me unconsious, I really need the rest. I've got two less kids than you, so my life is a little little less hetic, (stress on the little). I never understood why schools make kids do things they just don't like to do, why not have him do something HE would like, to show he payed attention? A poster board, a report, something more him?

Your blog's are great, if you have time, (what's that?) you might like mine, we seem to have some things in common, musingsfromourmenagerie.blogspot.com

Dick van Dyke has a few more wrinkles, but you're right, he looks much the same. He can still dance some, too. That must be what keeps him young. I would fall down in a heap if I even tried to keep up with him or Mickey Rooney.

GOod luck on the teeth! There is NOTHING more miserable than a tooth gone haywire! I'd even take another nearly burst appendix over an abcessed tooth! Anyway... I clicked on link to your other blog, and it said it's not there...

Poor kid - I remember those awful speeches. A few words of advice. One, it really does get easier the more you do it. Then again, he's a kid, so he can't think long term - that piece of advice won't help him. Two, I have always found it is best to volunteer to be the first or second person to go. The longer you sit and agonize over it, the worse it is. Plus, if you go first or second, you get to actually listen to the others, and you realize that theirs are actually much worse than yours!

I always wish they would give me all the permission slips at the beginning of the year so I can get it over with. I always lose them! They send them home with so much other paperwork and most it is crap that is just getting thrown away!

I was and still am a kid that shakes and sweats and nearly keels over while public speaking. I feel for him, and you. I wish I could give some advice to help him, but if you get any from anyone else, please pass it along to me. PS. Dick van Dyke looks exactly the same. I love him.

Poor kid! I feel awful for him. My brother was the same way as a kid and it was just pure torture for him to have to do ANY sort of presentation. I was the opposite and had a blast with that kind of thing. BUt I always felt horrible for the kids that were sick over having to present something in front of the class. Hopefully he gets through it all right!! Keep us posted!

What if he dressed as Hugo, the shy boyfriend? He wouldn't have to act like Elvis. He could wear slacks and a cardigan sweater because Hugo was such a straight arrow. "Bye Bye Birdie" is one of my favorite musicals.

I think Sunday evenings may be the worst time of the week. After two days of not rushing kids out the door and making sure all the homework is complete and so on. Then, BAM! Sunday night hits and you have to make sure everything is ready to go for Monday morning, so that all goes smoothly and nothing is forgotten, and no one is late. EEK!

Girl, you sound like you need to get some serious rest. I suspect you've been spreading yourself pretty thin lately, what with both blogs going, the daily needs of your family, and the big vacation around the corner to prepare for...but do heed those body signals that are telling you to ease up. We moms tend to push ourselves until we're run completely ragged. The housework can wait, but mom's health needs to take priority status right now.

My brother-in-law was recently hospitalized for a very serious, blood infection that they found was related to a neglected bad tooth and infected gums around it. Please get good rest and get better, Dawn...your reading public have come to depend on your daily doses of humor! You're in my prayers!

Girl I do feel for you ! I would rather give birth three hundred times without epi then to have one tooth ache again.I have five children and with five children came bad teeth . I have always said I lost six teeth with each pregnancy.While I was pregnant with my forth my biggest fear was not the pain of labor it was ending up with a toothache while giving birth. As soon as she was born I immediatly placed a call to my dentist.He gave me the option of either fixing my teeth or having them all yanked !(It wasen't a difficult choice for me. ) I do look like my grandpa without my teeth but its worth it because now I have lost a few pounds , I have perfect straight white teeth , I will never have to deal with tooth pain again and the bonus is if I get tired of the teeth I can always go back and have more made !Maybe my next set I can get some idenical to Brook Shields?

I also have a son like yours,go buy some pepto now because he probally will be sick and cant go to school that day !(wink)

How about part of the "telephone" scene. "Hello Mrs. _______, this is Harvey Johnson, can I speak to Debra Sue?" Goin' steady, goin' steady, goin' steady...steady for good. Or Paul Lynde's character was hilarious, too.

Good luck with the tooth pain, you can't get away from the pain in your head (you can pretend or focus away pain elsewhere). And yes, I'm the voice of experience; I tell my kids to stop whining about their braces (all 6 brackets each) because when they get their mouth wired shut & have to vomit through their nose, only THEN will they understand what mouth pain can truly be!

I just saw you on abc news - you were awesome! You looked great, you conveyed the flavor of your blog, and I felt thrilled for you as though you were a personal friend of mine. You've got lots of friends "over the picket fence" - congratulations!

Saw you on ABC news tonight!! I walked by the TV and heard "sold pokeman card on ebay her children snuck in the cart"... and it caught my ear! How fun was that! And $4000 a month on ads!! WOW..keep it up!

We did that musical my sophomore year in high school. I can still sing the whole "Telephone Hour" song word for word.

I borrowed the 35th anniversary edition of Mary Poppins from the library. Watched the special features, and yes - Dick Van Dyke looks almost EXACTLY the same now as he did three decades ago! That man has aged very well!

whatever happened to dressing in character from a BOOK? I never had a homework assignment that included watching TV, HA! (and I'm pretty sure that would have screwed with the 1 hour of TV per week rule at my house).

Saw you on the new tonight and wanted to send some congrats! Incredible what you have accomplished in four months! Your blogger site looks great! Did you have someone design it for you? Good luck with the book and movie deal!

Dawn,I haven't been able to comment as of lately. I miss our conversations. Hahaha!!! Our little cousins were born 14 weeks early, and i've been to the hospital. I'm sorry about your tooth. That doesn't sound good. I'm sorry. The things we put up with to have kids. It's amazing.

Ahhhhhh! You made the evening news (finally!!!). Congrats and it was nice to finally see you in the flesh. I'm sure you'll have a whole blog about this tomorrow, but I just couldn't resist commenting tonight. Thanks for your hilarious stories - a great read after spending my day teaching fith graders :)

This is long....but wanted to share it with you...a friend sent it to me...also a stay at home mom----A MUST READ!!!!! It is a little long...but worth it!!!!!

Enjoy!!!---You might cry!!

I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter,never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals -we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.' At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.- Author Unknown